“The Convert” is a new historical action thriller, directed by Lee Tamahori, starring Guy Pearce, Tioreore Ngatai-Melborne, Antonio Te Maioha, Jacqueline Mckenzie, Lawrence Makoare, Dean O’Gorman, Ariki Turner and Duane Evans, opening July 12, 2024 in theaters:
“…’Thomas Munro’, a newly arrived preacher in a colonial town in early 19th-century New Zealand finds himself…
“…at the center of a long-standing battle between two ‘Māori’ native tribes…”
Click the images to enlarge…...
“…’Thomas Munro’, a newly arrived preacher in a colonial town in early 19th-century New Zealand finds himself…
“…at the center of a long-standing battle between two ‘Māori’ native tribes…”
Click the images to enlarge…...
- 6/5/2024
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
The recently released trailer for “The Convert,” starring Guy Pearce, has captured the attention of cinema enthusiasts and historical drama fans alike. Directed by renowned filmmaker Lee Tamahori, the film promises to be a compelling journey into the turbulent times of early 19th century New Zealand.
A Tale of Transformation and Conflict
“The Convert” is set in the early 1830s, a period marked by cultural upheaval and the clash between indigenous Maori traditions and European colonial influences. The story revolves around Thomas Munro, portrayed by Guy Pearce, a deeply troubled former soldier who seeks redemption by becoming a Christian missionary. Munro’s quest for salvation leads him to New Zealand, where he encounters a world vastly different from his own.
As the trailer unfolds, viewers are introduced to the stark beauty of New Zealand’s landscapes, juxtaposed with the brutal realities of colonial expansion. Munro’s journey is fraught with moral dilemmas and violent confrontations,...
A Tale of Transformation and Conflict
“The Convert” is set in the early 1830s, a period marked by cultural upheaval and the clash between indigenous Maori traditions and European colonial influences. The story revolves around Thomas Munro, portrayed by Guy Pearce, a deeply troubled former soldier who seeks redemption by becoming a Christian missionary. Munro’s quest for salvation leads him to New Zealand, where he encounters a world vastly different from his own.
As the trailer unfolds, viewers are introduced to the stark beauty of New Zealand’s landscapes, juxtaposed with the brutal realities of colonial expansion. Munro’s journey is fraught with moral dilemmas and violent confrontations,...
- 6/4/2024
- by Kristyn Clarke
- Age of the Nerd
"Only blood redeems blood. Magnolia Pictures has debuted the US trailer for a film called The Convert from New Zealand, made by Kiwi filmmaker Lee Tamahori. He used to make big Hollywood action movies for years, then went back to New Zealand to make more intimate dramas about his homeland - I loved his last one The Patriarch from 2016. Tamahori’s new action-filled historical epic stars Guy Pearce as Thomas Munro, a newly arrived preacher in a colonial town in early 19th-century New Zealand who finds himself at the center of a long-standing battle between two Māori tribes. A lay preacher arrives at a British settlement in 1830s. His violent past is soon drawn into question and his faith put to the test, as he finds himself caught in the middle of a bloody war between Maori tribes. In addition to Pearce, this also stars Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne as Rangimai, Antonio Te Maioha,...
- 6/4/2024
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Magnet is bringing an intense trailer for Lee Tamahori’s action drama The Convert to theaters and on-demand on July 12, 2024, but not before footage from the film spills blood online. The gripping tale of survival stars Guy Pearce as Thomas Munro, a newly arrived preacher in a colonial town in early 19th-century New Zealand who finds himself at the center of a long-standing battle between two Māori tribes. The Convert trailer is ambitious and brutal, displaying a power clash for control over land and loyalty.
Lee Tamahori’s The Convert premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023 as part of a special presentation. Before the screening, festival organizers released the following description of the film:
As the tall ship carrying preacher Thomas Monro (Guy Pearce) arrives on the shores of the settler town of Epworth, he enters a world he could scarcely have imagined. Despite the growing colonial British...
Lee Tamahori’s The Convert premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023 as part of a special presentation. Before the screening, festival organizers released the following description of the film:
As the tall ship carrying preacher Thomas Monro (Guy Pearce) arrives on the shores of the settler town of Epworth, he enters a world he could scarcely have imagined. Despite the growing colonial British...
- 6/4/2024
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Sydney Film Festival (June 5-16) has unveiled the 12 titles that will play in competition at its 71st edition, including six features that are set to premiere at Cannes this month.
Fresh from playing in Competition at Cannes will be Kinds of Kindness, starring Emma Stone and directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, who won the Sydney Film Prize in 2012 with Alps. Further Palme d’Or contenders selected for Sydney include Grand Tour from Portugal’s Miguel Gomes, whose Arabian Nights won the Sydney Film Prize in 2015; Christophe Honoré’s French-Italian comedy Marcello Mio; and Payal Kapadia’s Indian romantic drama All We Imagine As Light.
Fresh from playing in Competition at Cannes will be Kinds of Kindness, starring Emma Stone and directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, who won the Sydney Film Prize in 2012 with Alps. Further Palme d’Or contenders selected for Sydney include Grand Tour from Portugal’s Miguel Gomes, whose Arabian Nights won the Sydney Film Prize in 2015; Christophe Honoré’s French-Italian comedy Marcello Mio; and Payal Kapadia’s Indian romantic drama All We Imagine As Light.
- 5/7/2024
- ScreenDaily
Hassie Harrison (“Yellowstone”), Jai Courtney (“Terminator Genisys”) and “Heartbreak High’s” Josh Heuston, soon to be seen in “Dune: Prophecy,” will star in the horror thriller “Dangerous Animals.”
Adding edge to the package, Australia’s genre auteur Sean Byrne, one of the highest rated horror directors of all time on Rotten Tomatoes, is directing “Dangerous Animals” which will be brought onto the Cannes market by David Garrett’s Mister Smith Entertainment.
Starting principal photography on Australia Gold Coast on May 7, “Dangerous Animals” is produced by London and Sydney-based Brouhaha Entertainment, behind Karim Aïnouz’s “Firebrand” and Guy Pearce-led “The Convert,” sold by Mister Smith, in conjunction with Ld Entertainment, Oddfellows Entertainment and management-production firm Range Media Partners.
Producers on the film are a prestige alliance of Brouhaha’s Troy Lum and Andrew Mason, Pete Shilaimon, Mickey Liddell for Ld Entertainment, Chris Ferguson for Oddfellows Entertainment and Brian Kavanaugh Jones for Range Media Partners.
Adding edge to the package, Australia’s genre auteur Sean Byrne, one of the highest rated horror directors of all time on Rotten Tomatoes, is directing “Dangerous Animals” which will be brought onto the Cannes market by David Garrett’s Mister Smith Entertainment.
Starting principal photography on Australia Gold Coast on May 7, “Dangerous Animals” is produced by London and Sydney-based Brouhaha Entertainment, behind Karim Aïnouz’s “Firebrand” and Guy Pearce-led “The Convert,” sold by Mister Smith, in conjunction with Ld Entertainment, Oddfellows Entertainment and management-production firm Range Media Partners.
Producers on the film are a prestige alliance of Brouhaha’s Troy Lum and Andrew Mason, Pete Shilaimon, Mickey Liddell for Ld Entertainment, Chris Ferguson for Oddfellows Entertainment and Brian Kavanaugh Jones for Range Media Partners.
- 5/6/2024
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Rosamund Pike has joined the cast of Lionsgate’s Now You See Me 3 in the latest instalment in the adventures of the thieving illusionists known as the Four Horsemen.
While details of Pike’s role remain under wraps the studio said it will be “pivotal”. She joins previously announced Justice Smith, Dominic Sessa, and Ariana Greenblatt.
Ruben Fleischer will return to direct and the project is being conceived as the launch pad for the future of the franchise. The logline has not been disclosed.
At time of writing it was expected that original cast members Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson,...
While details of Pike’s role remain under wraps the studio said it will be “pivotal”. She joins previously announced Justice Smith, Dominic Sessa, and Ariana Greenblatt.
Ruben Fleischer will return to direct and the project is being conceived as the launch pad for the future of the franchise. The logline has not been disclosed.
At time of writing it was expected that original cast members Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson,...
- 5/2/2024
- ScreenDaily
Rocket Science announced today that it will fully finance and launch international sales in Cannes on the sci-fi horror 11817 to be directed and produced by Louis Leterrier.
The French filmmaker’s Carrousel Studios, Rocket Science, Thank You Studios, Chernin Entertainment, and 3 Arts Entertainment are producing.
Matthew Robinson, whose credits include The Invention Of Lying, wrote the screenplay about a family of four trapped inside their house by inexplicable forces.
As modern luxuries and essential supplies start to run out, the family must adapt to survive and outsmart whoever or whatever is imprisoning them.
Casting is currently underway. CAA Media Finance represents North American rights.
The French filmmaker’s Carrousel Studios, Rocket Science, Thank You Studios, Chernin Entertainment, and 3 Arts Entertainment are producing.
Matthew Robinson, whose credits include The Invention Of Lying, wrote the screenplay about a family of four trapped inside their house by inexplicable forces.
As modern luxuries and essential supplies start to run out, the family must adapt to survive and outsmart whoever or whatever is imprisoning them.
Casting is currently underway. CAA Media Finance represents North American rights.
- 5/2/2024
- ScreenDaily
Lee Tamahori’s historical action epic The Convert has been acquired for distribution in multiple territories, including Magnolia Pictures in North America for a July 12 release date.
The film world premiered at Toronto International Film Festival, and stars Guy Pearce, Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne, Antonio Te Maioha, Jacqueline McKenzie and Lawrence Makoare.
UK sales outfit Mister Smith Entertainment has also closed deals with Germany’s Capelight Pictures, Spain’s Divisa Red, WW for Benelux, Front Row Entertainment in the Middle East, Monolith Films for Poland, Arna Media for Cis and the Baltic States, Blitz for Ex-Yugoslavia, Ascot Elite for Switzerland, The Film Group for Greece and Cyprus,...
The film world premiered at Toronto International Film Festival, and stars Guy Pearce, Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne, Antonio Te Maioha, Jacqueline McKenzie and Lawrence Makoare.
UK sales outfit Mister Smith Entertainment has also closed deals with Germany’s Capelight Pictures, Spain’s Divisa Red, WW for Benelux, Front Row Entertainment in the Middle East, Monolith Films for Poland, Arna Media for Cis and the Baltic States, Blitz for Ex-Yugoslavia, Ascot Elite for Switzerland, The Film Group for Greece and Cyprus,...
- 5/2/2024
- ScreenDaily
Phoebe Tonkin is to star in and executive produce a new Australian TV crime drama series, “The Dark Lake,” based on a novel by Sarah Bailey.
The series is to be produced by Brouhaha Entertainment, the Australia-u.K. outfit headed by veteran producers Gabrielle Tana, Troy Lum and Andrew Mason. The company recently delivered Netflix’s Brisbane set “Boy Swallows Universe,” in which Tonkin also stars.
Production and financing details were not disclosed and the series has not revealed a director or a broadcast or streaming partnership.
The story follows Gemma (portrayed by Tonkin) as she is forced to confront the secrets of her past when assigned to the murder of her high school nemesis in her small and tight-knit hometown. Through law enforcement, Gemma anchors herself to the dichotomy of right and wrong, in an effort to redeem her own deeply compromised decisions.
“The series investigates the moral workings...
The series is to be produced by Brouhaha Entertainment, the Australia-u.K. outfit headed by veteran producers Gabrielle Tana, Troy Lum and Andrew Mason. The company recently delivered Netflix’s Brisbane set “Boy Swallows Universe,” in which Tonkin also stars.
Production and financing details were not disclosed and the series has not revealed a director or a broadcast or streaming partnership.
The story follows Gemma (portrayed by Tonkin) as she is forced to confront the secrets of her past when assigned to the murder of her high school nemesis in her small and tight-knit hometown. Through law enforcement, Gemma anchors herself to the dichotomy of right and wrong, in an effort to redeem her own deeply compromised decisions.
“The series investigates the moral workings...
- 2/6/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Since his breakthrough 1994 feature Once Were Warriors, a troubling and fiery coming-of-age story indie set in New Zealand’s Maōri community, Lee Tamahori has almost exclusively resided in the realm of pulpy B-grade action cinema. From directing Pierce Brosnan’s final Bond in Die Another Day to Ice Cube in XXX: State of the Union to making a Guy Ritchie-lite actioner about Saddam Hussein’s son (The Devil’s Double), Tamahori has a strong familiarity with cheesy espionage plotlines and passable entertainment. Both sides of Tamahori’s filmography come together in his latest historical epic The Convert––results are expectedly mixed.
Presented in a decidedly prestige manner with sweeping camerawork and a plotline that decides to burn slow in building the relationships of its characters, The Convert tells of John Munro (Guy Pearce), a British preacher who is brought to the settlement of Epworth to help serve the community of settlers there.
Presented in a decidedly prestige manner with sweeping camerawork and a plotline that decides to burn slow in building the relationships of its characters, The Convert tells of John Munro (Guy Pearce), a British preacher who is brought to the settlement of Epworth to help serve the community of settlers there.
- 9/25/2023
- by Soham Gadre
- The Film Stage
Updated with latest: The Toronto Film Festival began September 7 in Ontario with opening-night movie The Boy and the Heron, from Oscar-winning filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki. It kicked off a lineup for the fest’s 48th edition that included world premieres of GameStop pic Dumb Money, Netflix’s Pain Hustlers, Taika Waititi’s Next Goal Wins, Kristin Scott Thomas’ Scarlett Johansson pic North Star, Chris Pine’s Poolman, Michael Keaton-directed Knox Goes Away, Anna Kendrick’s Woman of the Hour, Atom Egoyan’s Seven Veils, Michael Winterbottom’s Shoshana, Grant Singer’s Reptile, Viggo Mortensen’s The Dead Don’t Hurt, Lee Tamahori’s The Convert and Alex Gibney’s doc In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon.
It ended Sunday when Cord Jefferson’s satire American Fiction won TIFF’s People’s Choice Award for best film, usually a steppingstone to a strong awards season to come.
The fest also...
It ended Sunday when Cord Jefferson’s satire American Fiction won TIFF’s People’s Choice Award for best film, usually a steppingstone to a strong awards season to come.
The fest also...
- 9/18/2023
- by Stephanie Bunbury, Valerie Complex, Pete Hammond, Todd McCarthy and Damon Wise
- Deadline Film + TV
New Zealand-born director Lee Tamahori has dabbled in big-budget Hollywood film-making as well as more intimately-scaled films exploring his Māori heritage. So he brings both skills to bear in his sweeping, early 19th-century period drama about Māori conflict— ostensibly crafting a founding myth for New Zealand.
Continue reading ‘The Convert’ Review: Guy Pearce Stars In Lee Tamahori’s Stunning, Sweeping & Action-Packed Historical Epic [TIFF] at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘The Convert’ Review: Guy Pearce Stars In Lee Tamahori’s Stunning, Sweeping & Action-Packed Historical Epic [TIFF] at The Playlist.
- 9/10/2023
- by Ankit Jhunjhunwala
- The Playlist
When lay minister Thomas Munro (Guy Pearce) first reaches the shores of New Zealand in 1830, he does so on a white horse. A religious British man riding into a far-off land on his milky stallion is the picture of a white savior if there ever was one. But director Lee Tamahori has other plans for this well-spoken man of God in his blood-soaked period drama “The Convert,” his first feature film outing since 2016’s soapy “The Patriarch.”
From the onset, the stunning vistas, handsomely photographed by Gin Loane, signal the underlying theme of the narrative: Survival belongs to the strongest, a precept that grows in significance as the plot progresses. The fierce introduction to this unforgiving environment is a shot of a large bird making a smaller one its prey in one swift motion. Through such imagery, Tamahori aims to imbue the violence that permeates with a primal quality, obeying...
From the onset, the stunning vistas, handsomely photographed by Gin Loane, signal the underlying theme of the narrative: Survival belongs to the strongest, a precept that grows in significance as the plot progresses. The fierce introduction to this unforgiving environment is a shot of a large bird making a smaller one its prey in one swift motion. Through such imagery, Tamahori aims to imbue the violence that permeates with a primal quality, obeying...
- 9/9/2023
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Variety Film + TV
It was a joke that kickstarted Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne’s film career and, as she freely admits, not a good one.
After a casting call went out around schools in her region of New Zealand for Taika Waititi’s beloved comedy-drama Hunt for the Wilderpeople, her parents forced her to audition. “They made me do it — I didn’t even want to do it,” she says. 15 at the time, she was asked to sing a song and tell a joke. So in the ‘Marae’ — the traditional Maori meeting house (Ngatai-Melbourne is Maori, of Ngāti Porou and Ngai Tūhoe descent) — they recorded a video of her singing and telling her grandfather’s favourite one-liner.
“Ok, I’m just gonna say it,” she says, speaking to THR from Auckland. “What’s the difference between a bird and a fly? A bird can fly, but a fly can’t bird.”
Poor joke though it may have been,...
After a casting call went out around schools in her region of New Zealand for Taika Waititi’s beloved comedy-drama Hunt for the Wilderpeople, her parents forced her to audition. “They made me do it — I didn’t even want to do it,” she says. 15 at the time, she was asked to sing a song and tell a joke. So in the ‘Marae’ — the traditional Maori meeting house (Ngatai-Melbourne is Maori, of Ngāti Porou and Ngai Tūhoe descent) — they recorded a video of her singing and telling her grandfather’s favourite one-liner.
“Ok, I’m just gonna say it,” she says, speaking to THR from Auckland. “What’s the difference between a bird and a fly? A bird can fly, but a fly can’t bird.”
Poor joke though it may have been,...
- 9/8/2023
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Domestic distributor Bleecker Street is in negotiations to acquire rights to “Fackham Hall,” a British spoof of “Downton Abbey” and other costume dramas. Sales outfit The Veterans is pre-selling international territories. And as international buyers face a potential drought of Hollywood product due to strikes, the market is offering other promising presale titles.
WME Independent is pre-selling James Madigan’s “The Beast,” with Samuel L. Jackson in negotiations to star. He’ll play a U.S. president who fights a coup in his battle-ready, bomb-proof limousine with grenades and shotguns. As he rides through a violent wasteland of chaos and unrelenting carnage, he must learn to control The Beast — and the monster inside himself — to save his life, the life of a Secret Service agent (Joel Kinnaman of “Suicide Squad” fame) and his country. Unified Pictures’ Keith Kjarval, Fifth Season, Film 44’s John Logan Pierson and Peter Berg are producing...
WME Independent is pre-selling James Madigan’s “The Beast,” with Samuel L. Jackson in negotiations to star. He’ll play a U.S. president who fights a coup in his battle-ready, bomb-proof limousine with grenades and shotguns. As he rides through a violent wasteland of chaos and unrelenting carnage, he must learn to control The Beast — and the monster inside himself — to save his life, the life of a Secret Service agent (Joel Kinnaman of “Suicide Squad” fame) and his country. Unified Pictures’ Keith Kjarval, Fifth Season, Film 44’s John Logan Pierson and Peter Berg are producing...
- 9/7/2023
- by Gregg Goldstein
- Variety Film + TV
“It’s a very innovative show…everything in front of the camera is designed by somebody, is created by somebody,” describes Dean Cundey of “The Mandalorian, “There’s nothing off the shelf. It’s all a product of human artistry and imagination.” The film legend picked up an Emmy nomination for Cinematography for a Series (Half Hour) for his work on the Disney+ series, and he admits to having a ball playing inside the “Star Wars” universe. “It’s such a wonderful change of pace from shooting against real backgrounds,” he reveals. Watch the exclusive video interview above.
“The Mandalorian” is a largely virtual production, shooting many scenes on a stage called The Volume. The set consists of a curved screen which allows digital environments to be projected on it and move with the camera in real-time. Cundey has worked with all manner of evolving film technology in his decades-long career,...
“The Mandalorian” is a largely virtual production, shooting many scenes on a stage called The Volume. The set consists of a curved screen which allows digital environments to be projected on it and move with the camera in real-time. Cundey has worked with all manner of evolving film technology in his decades-long career,...
- 8/16/2023
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
Next Goal Wins (Taika Waititi, 2023).The lineup is being unveiled for the 2023 edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, starting with 60 selections from the Gala and Special Presentations programs. The festival takes place from September 7–17, 2023.Gala PRESENTATIONSConcrete Utopia (Um Tae-Hwa)Dumb Money (Craig Gillespie)Fair Play (Chloe Domont)Flora and Son (John Carney)Hate to Love: Nickelback (Leigh Brooks)Lee (Ellen Kuras)Next Goal Wins (Taika Waititi)Nyad (Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin)Punjab ’95 (Honey Trehan)Solo (Sophie Dupuis)The End We Start From (Mahalia Belo)The Movie Emperor (Ning Hao)The New Boy (Warwick Thornton) The Royal Hotel (Kitty Green)The Holdovers.Special Presentationsa Difficult Year (Éric Toledano, Olivier Nakache)A Normal Family (Hur Jin-ho)American Fiction (Cord Jefferson)Anatomy of a Fall (Justine Triet)Close to You (Dominic Savage)Days of Happiness (Chloé Robichaud)The Rescue (Daniela Goggi)Ezra (Tony Goldwyn)Fingernails (Christos Nikou)Four Daughters (Kaouther Ben Hania...
- 8/14/2023
- MUBI
She was a whore. She had to be. Her skirt was so short. So she deserved it. When I was nine years old, a student at the University of Zimbabwe, where both my parents were employed, was stripped of her clothes by a pack of men because they decreed her attire “inappropriate,” and her character clearly of ill repute. She “deserved” it. And most agreed. I felt a fire in my belly about how unjust this seemed. Not fully equipped with the language to speak against this, I tried nonetheless.
- 8/8/2023
- by Danai Gurira
- Rollingstone.com
The New Zealand government said on Tuesday that the country’s generous screen production incentives systems are to be continued.
The decision follows a New Zealand government review of the local and international production incentives and the post-production and visual effects schemes that began in late 2022.
They also follow expansion announced earlier this month of the rebate schemes in Australia. The two neighbors compete for international or ‘runaway’ productions on criteria including: locations, English-language skills, studio space, post-production and digital effects facilities, as well as cash rebates.
The screen sector contributes more than Nz$3.5 billion ($2.12 billion) to the New Zealand economy each year and directly employs over 13,900 people. The sector also has indirect benefits for other industries such as hospitality, construction and tourism, the government said.
The renewal of the New Zealand Screen Production Grant (Nzspg) system come with a handful of tweaks. One of these is to the scheme’s name.
The decision follows a New Zealand government review of the local and international production incentives and the post-production and visual effects schemes that began in late 2022.
They also follow expansion announced earlier this month of the rebate schemes in Australia. The two neighbors compete for international or ‘runaway’ productions on criteria including: locations, English-language skills, studio space, post-production and digital effects facilities, as well as cash rebates.
The screen sector contributes more than Nz$3.5 billion ($2.12 billion) to the New Zealand economy each year and directly employs over 13,900 people. The sector also has indirect benefits for other industries such as hospitality, construction and tourism, the government said.
The renewal of the New Zealand Screen Production Grant (Nzspg) system come with a handful of tweaks. One of these is to the scheme’s name.
- 5/30/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
WME Independent is handling international sales on the film at Cannes.
Ananda Everingham, Bront Palarae and Jennis Oprasert have been revealed as the cast of Thai horror The Cursed Land, on which WME Independent is handling international sales at Cannes.
Written and directed by Panu Aree and Kong Rithdee as their directorial fiction feature debut, the film follows a widower and his daughter who travel to Thailand’s deep south to seek help from a Muslim witch doctor after unleashing a djinn in a rundown house. A first look at Ananda in the film can be seen above.
Ananda is...
Ananda Everingham, Bront Palarae and Jennis Oprasert have been revealed as the cast of Thai horror The Cursed Land, on which WME Independent is handling international sales at Cannes.
Written and directed by Panu Aree and Kong Rithdee as their directorial fiction feature debut, the film follows a widower and his daughter who travel to Thailand’s deep south to seek help from a Muslim witch doctor after unleashing a djinn in a rundown house. A first look at Ananda in the film can be seen above.
Ananda is...
- 5/17/2023
- by Silvia Wong
- ScreenDaily
One of the standout episodes of season 3 of "The Mandalorian" is Chapter 19, "The Convert," in which the show takes an episode-long interlude away from our protagonists Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Bo-Katan Kryze's (Katee Sackhoff) adventures on Mandalore to update us on what life is like on Coruscant during the rise of the New Republic. Spoiler alert: underneath the thinly veiled surface of restored peace and democracy, it's not all that different from life under the Empire.
"The Convert" follows ex-Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito) collaborator Dr. Pershing (Omid Abtahi), who has been given a chance to rehabilitate himself into society through the Amnesty Program (a "Star Wars" parallel for the disturbing real-world Operation Paperclip). Using his technological expertise for the New Republic, Pershing befriends a fellow ex-Imperial co-worker, Elia Kane (Katy O'Brian), who shares his strange love of Imperial travel biscuits they used to snack on. Though the New Republic...
"The Convert" follows ex-Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito) collaborator Dr. Pershing (Omid Abtahi), who has been given a chance to rehabilitate himself into society through the Amnesty Program (a "Star Wars" parallel for the disturbing real-world Operation Paperclip). Using his technological expertise for the New Republic, Pershing befriends a fellow ex-Imperial co-worker, Elia Kane (Katy O'Brian), who shares his strange love of Imperial travel biscuits they used to snack on. Though the New Republic...
- 5/8/2023
- by Tyler Llewyn Taing
- Slash Film
This Star Wars: The Mandalorian article contains spoilers.
Things looked very grim for Din Djarin, Grogu, and Bo-Katan at the start of The Mandalorian season 3. Ambushed by Moff Gideon and the Empire on Mandalore and now on the run on their own home turf, our brave Mandalorians seemed headed for a tragedy in “The Return.” Some fans even predicted Chapter 24 might be the end of the line for our pal Din Djarin. Of course, none of this turned out to be the case!
In what turned out to be an action-packed but heartwarming conclusion to this season’s major storylines, Din, Bo, and Grogu team up to save the day and reclaim Mandalore for their people. It even seems like they’ve taken Gideon down for good this time (although the Imperial baddie always finds a way to pop up again). By the final scene of the episode, Bo-Katan has...
Things looked very grim for Din Djarin, Grogu, and Bo-Katan at the start of The Mandalorian season 3. Ambushed by Moff Gideon and the Empire on Mandalore and now on the run on their own home turf, our brave Mandalorians seemed headed for a tragedy in “The Return.” Some fans even predicted Chapter 24 might be the end of the line for our pal Din Djarin. Of course, none of this turned out to be the case!
In what turned out to be an action-packed but heartwarming conclusion to this season’s major storylines, Din, Bo, and Grogu team up to save the day and reclaim Mandalore for their people. It even seems like they’ve taken Gideon down for good this time (although the Imperial baddie always finds a way to pop up again). By the final scene of the episode, Bo-Katan has...
- 4/19/2023
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
This Star Wars: The Mandalorian article contains spoilers.
Before The Mandalorian season 3, few Star Wars fans would have ever even considered a potentially tragic end to Din Djarin’s story on the show. Or an end at all. After all, Pedro Pascal’s stoic bounty hunter with a heart of gold has quickly become one of the most beloved and popular characters in a franchise that doesn’t often kill off its valuable IP. Yet, for some viewers, season 3 may have set the stage for just that: Din’s exit from The Mandalorian as the show, and the Mandoverse as a whole, moves on to a new stage.
The penultimate episode of season 3, “The Spies,” ends with Din stuck in a dire situation. Captured by Moff Gideon’s commandos and dragged deeper into the top-secret Imperial installation on Mandalore, we don’t know what plans the villain has for Din...
Before The Mandalorian season 3, few Star Wars fans would have ever even considered a potentially tragic end to Din Djarin’s story on the show. Or an end at all. After all, Pedro Pascal’s stoic bounty hunter with a heart of gold has quickly become one of the most beloved and popular characters in a franchise that doesn’t often kill off its valuable IP. Yet, for some viewers, season 3 may have set the stage for just that: Din’s exit from The Mandalorian as the show, and the Mandoverse as a whole, moves on to a new stage.
The penultimate episode of season 3, “The Spies,” ends with Din stuck in a dire situation. Captured by Moff Gideon’s commandos and dragged deeper into the top-secret Imperial installation on Mandalore, we don’t know what plans the villain has for Din...
- 4/18/2023
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
It's official, Daisy Ridley is returning once again as Rey Skywalker for one more film in the "Star Wars" timeline, directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and written by Steven Knight ("Peaky Blinders"). Despite the missed potential, I remain a massive fan of the sequel trilogy and its characters, so I should be happy to see it, right? Here's a perfect opportunity for Lucasfilm to set things right; to wash away the sins of "The Rise of Skywalker" and do justice to one of the Skywalker Saga's most promising and fresh characters.
Since it was just announced last week at this year's "Star Wars Celebration," details on the film are currently as vague as possible. We know that the untitled film is set 15 years after the events of "The Rise of Skywalker" in a new "era" of the timeline called "The New Jedi," in which an older and wiser Rey will pick...
Since it was just announced last week at this year's "Star Wars Celebration," details on the film are currently as vague as possible. We know that the untitled film is set 15 years after the events of "The Rise of Skywalker" in a new "era" of the timeline called "The New Jedi," in which an older and wiser Rey will pick...
- 4/13/2023
- by Tyler Llewyn Taing
- Slash Film
In the climactic scene of "The Mandalorian" season 3, episode 3, "The Convert" -- a "Brazil"-influenced, Coruscant-set cautionary tale about the machines of power and the stubbornness of evil -- poor Dr. Penn Pershing has been betrayed, while acting with good intentions. Now he's strapped to a table, about to be brainwashed by a feared former Imperial tool called the "mind flayer." In the depths of his terror and despair, he pleads for mercy with the Mon Calamari doctor, telling him: "It was a trap!"
You know, like Admiral Ackbar? Remember when Admiral Ackbar said "it's a trap!" in "Return of the Jedi"? And people liked that line, and when internet memes were invented it became a meme? It's just like the meme, except now someone is saying it to a Mon Calamari character instead? Isn't that funn-- Oh, Dr. Pershing just got his brain fried.
The latest chapter of "The Mandalorian,...
You know, like Admiral Ackbar? Remember when Admiral Ackbar said "it's a trap!" in "Return of the Jedi"? And people liked that line, and when internet memes were invented it became a meme? It's just like the meme, except now someone is saying it to a Mon Calamari character instead? Isn't that funn-- Oh, Dr. Pershing just got his brain fried.
The latest chapter of "The Mandalorian,...
- 3/30/2023
- by Hannah Shaw-Williams
- Slash Film
This Post Contains spoilers for this week’s episode of The Mandalorian, “The Pirate.”
The Mandalorian is a show that likes to keep things simple whenever possible. And it’s hard to imagine a more fundamentally simple story than “heroes rescue community under siege by pirates.” It’s a framework the show has used very successfully in the past, going all the way back to Mando and Cara Dune’s initial team-up early in Season One. In many ways, “The Pirate” leans hard into this kind of straightforward, classical adventure structure.
The Mandalorian is a show that likes to keep things simple whenever possible. And it’s hard to imagine a more fundamentally simple story than “heroes rescue community under siege by pirates.” It’s a framework the show has used very successfully in the past, going all the way back to Mando and Cara Dune’s initial team-up early in Season One. In many ways, “The Pirate” leans hard into this kind of straightforward, classical adventure structure.
- 3/29/2023
- by Alan Sepinwall
- Rollingstone.com
This article contains spoilers for "The Mandalorian."
"The Mandalorian" season 3 has been going pleasantly strong so far, and while there has been no shortage of our favorite duo, Din (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu, it also has been an effective vehicle and character study for Bo-Katan Kreez (Katee Sackhoff). Focusing a lot more on Mandalore, the displacement of the Mandalorian people, and the Children of the Watch's religious way of life, this season has largely hit the reset button on the show's formula. We haven't seen any Jedi or huge legacy characters, and episode 3, "The Convert," served as a great standalone showing us the post-"Return of the Jedi" ride of the New Republic.
In a perplexing decision for casual "Star Wars" fans, Grogu and Din actually reunited with each other in an episode of the spin-off series "The Book of Boba Fett," which played much more like a "Mando" season 2.5 interlude.
"The Mandalorian" season 3 has been going pleasantly strong so far, and while there has been no shortage of our favorite duo, Din (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu, it also has been an effective vehicle and character study for Bo-Katan Kreez (Katee Sackhoff). Focusing a lot more on Mandalore, the displacement of the Mandalorian people, and the Children of the Watch's religious way of life, this season has largely hit the reset button on the show's formula. We haven't seen any Jedi or huge legacy characters, and episode 3, "The Convert," served as a great standalone showing us the post-"Return of the Jedi" ride of the New Republic.
In a perplexing decision for casual "Star Wars" fans, Grogu and Din actually reunited with each other in an episode of the spin-off series "The Book of Boba Fett," which played much more like a "Mando" season 2.5 interlude.
- 3/28/2023
- by Tyler Llewyn Taing
- Slash Film
After waiting nearly three years after the end of season two, The Mandalorian is back with new weekly episodes on Disney+. Fans are captivated by the adventures of Din Djarin and Grogu but the show is also notable for the unique circumstances of its production. The Mandalorian uses innovative technology and a cadre of notable filmmakers to bring each chapter to life. The amount of time and effort needed for every episode could be daunting for some actors, but Pedro Pascal greatly enjoys being part of such a distinctive program.
‘The Mandalorian’ season 3 digs deeper into the culture of Mandalore
The opening episodes of the third season of The Mandalorian focus more on the lore of Din’s chosen family as he attempts to atone for his oath-breaking helmet removal in “Chapter 15: The Believer”.
Din helps some Mandalorians fight off a monster that attacks a child’s induction ceremony,...
‘The Mandalorian’ season 3 digs deeper into the culture of Mandalore
The opening episodes of the third season of The Mandalorian focus more on the lore of Din’s chosen family as he attempts to atone for his oath-breaking helmet removal in “Chapter 15: The Believer”.
Din helps some Mandalorians fight off a monster that attacks a child’s induction ceremony,...
- 3/26/2023
- by Sam Hines
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
This Star Wars article contains spoilers for The Mandalorian.
Four episodes in, The Mandalorian season 3 lacks the focus and energy of past adventures. Although the season 2 finale set up a status-quo-shattering turning point for the show in 2020, The Mandalorian finds Din and Grogu in a very different place in its third season, their previous separation now a non-issue. What momentum the series had earned after that massive cliffhanger had been all but broken a year later in The Book of Boba Fett.
Fortunately, that spinoff also set up a new quest for Din and Grogu. Excommunicated from his Mandalorian tribe for taking off his helmet in front of others, Din’s next mission would take him to Mandalore, the homeworld of his people. Once there, he would need to recite the Mandalorian Creed while bathing in “the Living Waters beneath the mines of Mandalore,” a pilgrimage we were led to...
Four episodes in, The Mandalorian season 3 lacks the focus and energy of past adventures. Although the season 2 finale set up a status-quo-shattering turning point for the show in 2020, The Mandalorian finds Din and Grogu in a very different place in its third season, their previous separation now a non-issue. What momentum the series had earned after that massive cliffhanger had been all but broken a year later in The Book of Boba Fett.
Fortunately, that spinoff also set up a new quest for Din and Grogu. Excommunicated from his Mandalorian tribe for taking off his helmet in front of others, Din’s next mission would take him to Mandalore, the homeworld of his people. Once there, he would need to recite the Mandalorian Creed while bathing in “the Living Waters beneath the mines of Mandalore,” a pilgrimage we were led to...
- 3/25/2023
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
Season 3 of “The Mandalorian” deviated from the central plot in an intriguing manner during Episode 3, “The Convert.” Most of the running time was focused on the former-Imperial Dr. Pershing (Omid Abtahi) as he tries to rehabilitant his life with the New Republic on Coruscant. Pershing is ultimately betrayed by his supposed ally Elia Kane (Katy O’Brian), which is curiously the first villainous action of Season 3. Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito) is sidelined and supposedly mind-flayed (though it’s a good bet we haven’t seen the last of him), leaving a void in the series for a new “Big Bad” to fill. Several clues were present during the adventures of Pershing and Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) this week, pointing to a larger menace lurking behind the scenes. Here are the best guesses as to who may serve as the villain of the season.
See ‘The Mandalorian’ Season 2 recap: Relive the adventures...
See ‘The Mandalorian’ Season 2 recap: Relive the adventures...
- 3/22/2023
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
This Star Wars review contains spoilers for The Mandalorian.
The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 4: Chapter 20
With a brisk 32-minute runtime, “The Foundling” is an entertaining but somewhat shallow episode of The Mandalorian that feels inessential when compared to the three entries leading up to it. There’s nothing introduced here, thematically or narratively, that sends the story in new directions, though several scenes do strengthen the roots of the lore.
At the end of “The Convert,” we saw the Tribe welcome Din, Bo-Katan, and Grogu with open arms, and we see the continuation of that here, with Grogu beginning his foundling training. The show can’t lose when it focuses on Din and Grogu, and Bo-Katan is creeping her way into that equation, too. When she assures Grogu that Din is just pushing him into training because he’s “proud,” it establishes that she understands them and is slowly becoming...
The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 4: Chapter 20
With a brisk 32-minute runtime, “The Foundling” is an entertaining but somewhat shallow episode of The Mandalorian that feels inessential when compared to the three entries leading up to it. There’s nothing introduced here, thematically or narratively, that sends the story in new directions, though several scenes do strengthen the roots of the lore.
At the end of “The Convert,” we saw the Tribe welcome Din, Bo-Katan, and Grogu with open arms, and we see the continuation of that here, with Grogu beginning his foundling training. The show can’t lose when it focuses on Din and Grogu, and Bo-Katan is creeping her way into that equation, too. When she assures Grogu that Din is just pushing him into training because he’s “proud,” it establishes that she understands them and is slowly becoming...
- 3/22/2023
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
[Warning: The following contains Major spoilers for The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 3, “The Convert.”] First, The Mandalorian swiped a couple of episodes from The Book of Boba Fett—and now, Andor seems to have pilfered an episode from The Mandalorian. (Not really. But kind of.) You’d be forgiven for watching Season 3’s third episode and thinking it a different show entirely; aside from the opening and closing minutes, Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff) are absent. We cross the galaxy to land on cotton-candy-colored, skyscraper-littered Coruscant, where the lead roles for the following 40-ish minutes go to Dr. Penn Pershing (Omid Abtahi) and Elia Kane (Katy O’Brian). This duo of ex-Imperials has enlisted in the New Republic’s “Amnesty Program,” and while it seems Pershing truly wants to leave the Empire behind, Elia’s motives are murkier. By the episode’s end, she turns on Pershing and uses a torture device to scramble his mind.
- 3/21/2023
- TV Insider
This article contains spoilers for "The Mandalorian" episode, "The Convert."
As "The Mandalorian" embarks on its third season, it faces tougher challenges than Pedro Pascal's beskar armor-clad Din Djarin does on a daily basis. For one thing, the return of Grogu neé Baby Yoda in the other Disney+ series, "The Book of Boba Fett," may have confused some of "The Mandalorian" viewers who skipped that show, as well as people who had tuned in for more Boba action and not "Mandalorian 2.5." For another, like most series entering their third season, the show faces many questions about its future: how long is it going to run, is there an endgame in play, and where else can the show (and Din and Grogu) go exploring?
That last question began to be answered with the show's latest episode, "The Convert." Although the beginning and end of the episode followed the further adventures of Din,...
As "The Mandalorian" embarks on its third season, it faces tougher challenges than Pedro Pascal's beskar armor-clad Din Djarin does on a daily basis. For one thing, the return of Grogu neé Baby Yoda in the other Disney+ series, "The Book of Boba Fett," may have confused some of "The Mandalorian" viewers who skipped that show, as well as people who had tuned in for more Boba action and not "Mandalorian 2.5." For another, like most series entering their third season, the show faces many questions about its future: how long is it going to run, is there an endgame in play, and where else can the show (and Din and Grogu) go exploring?
That last question began to be answered with the show's latest episode, "The Convert." Although the beginning and end of the episode followed the further adventures of Din,...
- 3/20/2023
- by Bill Bria
- Slash Film
What the heck are Taungsday and Benduday? To explain, a recent episode of "The Mandalorian" finally canonized the Galactic Standard Calendar that long existed in the "Star Wars" archived Expanded Universe, the Legends. In season 3, episode 3 "The Convert," the show diverts from its eponymous Mandalorian and his famed foundling Grogu to focus on a reformed ex-Imperial, Dr. Pershing (Omid Abtah), figuring out his life on the sparkling capital city-planet of Coruscant. There, we're exposed to casual mentions of Taungsday and Benduday, two days of the week in "Star Wars."
In a 2009 "Hyperspace" fan-club article by Gregory Walker, you can see the days of the week listed out in this order on the "Dining at Dex's" menu: Primeday, Centaxday, Taungsday, Zhellday, Benduday. That's right, the galaxy far, far away comprises five days in a week. To us Earthlings familiar with the seven-day week, the weeks sure sound short in "Star Wars.
In a 2009 "Hyperspace" fan-club article by Gregory Walker, you can see the days of the week listed out in this order on the "Dining at Dex's" menu: Primeday, Centaxday, Taungsday, Zhellday, Benduday. That's right, the galaxy far, far away comprises five days in a week. To us Earthlings familiar with the seven-day week, the weeks sure sound short in "Star Wars.
- 3/19/2023
- by Caroline Cao
- Slash Film
Here's a twist (hey-oh!): Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment's "Twisters" might not be a sequel to "Twister" after all. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the upcoming film — which was previously said to be a follow-up to director Jan De Bont's storm-chasing 1996 blockbuster — is now being described by studio executives as "a new chapter." Not only that, it might even be a full-blown reboot of the "Twister" franchise, with the outlet stating, "The new story is not a sequel nor does it plan on bringing back old characters."
"Twister" famously cast Helen Hunt and the late, great Bill Paxton as a pair of married storm chasers on the verge of divorcing when they reunite in the middle of an extreme storm outbreak, in the hopes of deploying their experimental tornado research device. While it was previously believed Hunt might reprise her role as Dr. Jo Harding for "Twisters,...
"Twister" famously cast Helen Hunt and the late, great Bill Paxton as a pair of married storm chasers on the verge of divorcing when they reunite in the middle of an extreme storm outbreak, in the hopes of deploying their experimental tornado research device. While it was previously believed Hunt might reprise her role as Dr. Jo Harding for "Twisters,...
- 3/17/2023
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
[This story contains spoilers for The Mandalorian “Chapter 19: The Convert.”]
The Mandalorian star Katee Sackhoff has pulled off the impossible.
Sackhoff knows full well how rare it is for a voice role to become a live-action role, but she made the leap as of Mandalorian season two, having already voiced Mandalorian warrior Bo-Katan Kryze periodically on Star Wars animated series The Clone Wars and Rebels since 2012. Of course, the Oregon native is also self-aware enough to know that her existing body of live-action work on beloved series like Battlestar Galactica and Longmire made the jump more viable.
“I take into consideration that I, for the bulk of my career, have not been out making period rom-coms. To a certain extent, I have played characters that are very similar to Bo-Katan, so I do understand how the transition was easier to imagine,” Sackhoff tells The Hollywood Reporter.
In the most recent episode of The Mandalorian,...
The Mandalorian star Katee Sackhoff has pulled off the impossible.
Sackhoff knows full well how rare it is for a voice role to become a live-action role, but she made the leap as of Mandalorian season two, having already voiced Mandalorian warrior Bo-Katan Kryze periodically on Star Wars animated series The Clone Wars and Rebels since 2012. Of course, the Oregon native is also self-aware enough to know that her existing body of live-action work on beloved series like Battlestar Galactica and Longmire made the jump more viable.
“I take into consideration that I, for the bulk of my career, have not been out making period rom-coms. To a certain extent, I have played characters that are very similar to Bo-Katan, so I do understand how the transition was easier to imagine,” Sackhoff tells The Hollywood Reporter.
In the most recent episode of The Mandalorian,...
- 3/17/2023
- by Brian Davids
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
This post contains spoilers for "The Mandalorian" season 3, episode 3, "The Convert."
Forging beskar armor, sharing ancient wisdom — for Emily Swallow's Armorer on "The Mandalorian," "this is the way." Everyone's favorite smith returned to kick things off in the season 3 premiere after the show's two-year hiatus. After forging a cute junior-sized helmet for a mini-Mandalorian, the Armorer led her clan in a baptism of sorts to initiate the new family member. Unfortunately, the rite was interrupted by a hungry sea monster, and the Mandalorians found themselves in a fierce battle against the massive Crocodylian beast. Luckily, Din Djarin arrived in the knick of time to save them. Returning in episode 3, "The Convert," the Armorer shocked everyone by welcoming back the freshly redeemed "apostates" into the clan — Bo-Katan Kryze included.
The Armorer, who leads Din Djarin's Children of the Watch tribe, is one of the most interesting and memorable original characters...
Forging beskar armor, sharing ancient wisdom — for Emily Swallow's Armorer on "The Mandalorian," "this is the way." Everyone's favorite smith returned to kick things off in the season 3 premiere after the show's two-year hiatus. After forging a cute junior-sized helmet for a mini-Mandalorian, the Armorer led her clan in a baptism of sorts to initiate the new family member. Unfortunately, the rite was interrupted by a hungry sea monster, and the Mandalorians found themselves in a fierce battle against the massive Crocodylian beast. Luckily, Din Djarin arrived in the knick of time to save them. Returning in episode 3, "The Convert," the Armorer shocked everyone by welcoming back the freshly redeemed "apostates" into the clan — Bo-Katan Kryze included.
The Armorer, who leads Din Djarin's Children of the Watch tribe, is one of the most interesting and memorable original characters...
- 3/16/2023
- by Sarah Milner
- Slash Film
This Star Wars article contains spoilers for The Mandalorian.
It’s the dawn of a new age on Coruscant, as The Mandalorian season 3 revisits the familiar locale but under different management. As the center of the Star Wars galaxy during the Prequel era, at the height of the Empire’s rule, and five years after Return of the Jedi, the city planet has gone through several seismic cultural shifts from one regime to the next. As you might expect, with the fall of the Empire happening between Andor and The Mandalorian, things have changed quite a lot since Mon Mothma was defending the Ghormans.
While the darkness of the Empire has slunk back into the shadows, largely relegated to the Outer Rim planets, the New Republic now reigns supreme on Coruscant. But in The Mandalorian season 3 episode “The Convert,” we learn from returning characters Dr. Penn Pershing (Omid Abtahi) and...
It’s the dawn of a new age on Coruscant, as The Mandalorian season 3 revisits the familiar locale but under different management. As the center of the Star Wars galaxy during the Prequel era, at the height of the Empire’s rule, and five years after Return of the Jedi, the city planet has gone through several seismic cultural shifts from one regime to the next. As you might expect, with the fall of the Empire happening between Andor and The Mandalorian, things have changed quite a lot since Mon Mothma was defending the Ghormans.
While the darkness of the Empire has slunk back into the shadows, largely relegated to the Outer Rim planets, the New Republic now reigns supreme on Coruscant. But in The Mandalorian season 3 episode “The Convert,” we learn from returning characters Dr. Penn Pershing (Omid Abtahi) and...
- 3/16/2023
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
The following post contains spoilers for "The Mandalorian" season 3, episode 3, "The Convert."
The first two episodes of "The Mandalorian" season 3 focused heavily on Din Djarin's (Pedro Pascal) quest to redeem himself in the living waters of the Mines of Mandalore and the cuteness of Grogu. In episode 3, "The Convert," we take a detour. Din and Bo-Katan (Katee Sackhoff) bookend this episode, though the balance of it takes place on Coruscant, the governmental base of the New Republic as it was for the Empire. We rejoin Dr. Pershing (Omid Abtahi), who has been given amnesty after his capture, and meet a new character named Elia Kane (Katy M. O'Brian, who you might remember as Jentorra from "Ant-Man and The Wasp."
Between the return to Coruscant, the switch in focus to Dr. Pershing, and Bo-Katan's entrance into the Mandalorian covert, there is a lot to unpack in this episode in terms of Easter eggs.
The first two episodes of "The Mandalorian" season 3 focused heavily on Din Djarin's (Pedro Pascal) quest to redeem himself in the living waters of the Mines of Mandalore and the cuteness of Grogu. In episode 3, "The Convert," we take a detour. Din and Bo-Katan (Katee Sackhoff) bookend this episode, though the balance of it takes place on Coruscant, the governmental base of the New Republic as it was for the Empire. We rejoin Dr. Pershing (Omid Abtahi), who has been given amnesty after his capture, and meet a new character named Elia Kane (Katy M. O'Brian, who you might remember as Jentorra from "Ant-Man and The Wasp."
Between the return to Coruscant, the switch in focus to Dr. Pershing, and Bo-Katan's entrance into the Mandalorian covert, there is a lot to unpack in this episode in terms of Easter eggs.
- 3/15/2023
- by Jenna Busch
- Slash Film
This post contains spoilers for episode 3 of "The Mandalorian" season 3.
This week's episode of "The Mandalorian," titled "The Convert," has multiple meanings.
"The Convert" starts out in familiar territory -- right after Bo-Katan (Katee Sackhoff) saves Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) from drowning in the living waters and encounters a real life Mythosaur, her entire belief system has been challenged. Though, she won't let Din see that yet. As the two try to walk their separate ways, they are attacked by an overwhelmingly large squadron of Tie Interceptors. Who are their Imperial attackers now that Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito) has reportedly been arrested? We don't know yet.
As Bo-Katan's home on Kalevala is destroyed by Tie Bombers, she makes a quick escape with Din Djarin to somewhere the Imperials can't find them. All of a sudden, after the usual "Mandalorian" title sequence, the perspective of the episode takes a bold switch...
This week's episode of "The Mandalorian," titled "The Convert," has multiple meanings.
"The Convert" starts out in familiar territory -- right after Bo-Katan (Katee Sackhoff) saves Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) from drowning in the living waters and encounters a real life Mythosaur, her entire belief system has been challenged. Though, she won't let Din see that yet. As the two try to walk their separate ways, they are attacked by an overwhelmingly large squadron of Tie Interceptors. Who are their Imperial attackers now that Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito) has reportedly been arrested? We don't know yet.
As Bo-Katan's home on Kalevala is destroyed by Tie Bombers, she makes a quick escape with Din Djarin to somewhere the Imperials can't find them. All of a sudden, after the usual "Mandalorian" title sequence, the perspective of the episode takes a bold switch...
- 3/15/2023
- by Tyler Llewyn Taing
- Slash Film
This article discusses spoilers for the latest episode of "The Mandalorian." Read at your own risk. This is the way.
Yeah, yeah, the schmuck who caused a mini-firestorm for speaking out against our lord and savior Baby Yoda a little while back has returned to once again take that adorable little rodent's good name and drag it through the mud -- but stick with me here, because I promise this is more than just another hit piece.
To their credit, creator Jon Favreau and the rest of the talent behind "The Mandalorian" certainly know that the bond between Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu remains the heart and soul of the series ... but maybe that's not always been ideal. That mindset obviously explains why they decided to completely undo the somber ending of season 2, which split apart our lovable pair and left heartbroken viewers wondering how (or even if) they'd ever reunite again.
Yeah, yeah, the schmuck who caused a mini-firestorm for speaking out against our lord and savior Baby Yoda a little while back has returned to once again take that adorable little rodent's good name and drag it through the mud -- but stick with me here, because I promise this is more than just another hit piece.
To their credit, creator Jon Favreau and the rest of the talent behind "The Mandalorian" certainly know that the bond between Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu remains the heart and soul of the series ... but maybe that's not always been ideal. That mindset obviously explains why they decided to completely undo the somber ending of season 2, which split apart our lovable pair and left heartbroken viewers wondering how (or even if) they'd ever reunite again.
- 3/15/2023
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
Well, that was an unexpected turn of events.
The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 3 took a detour to Coruscant to explain what happened to Imperial scientist Dr. Pershing.
That's not to say the cliffhanger at the end of The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 2 was unresolved. It was, and then it left us with even more questions.
But we'll return to that in a little because the events on Coruscant were exciting as the series broke free from telling one long story per episode, making it one of the best episodes to date.
Coruscant is so profoundly rooted in Star Wars lore that any character could have gone there, and it would have still made for a worthwhile installment.
Focusing almost exclusively on Omid Abtahi's Dr. Pershing was an excellent way to showcase what became of him after the events of The Mandalorian Season 2.
It's hard to rule Pershing a villain because...
The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 3 took a detour to Coruscant to explain what happened to Imperial scientist Dr. Pershing.
That's not to say the cliffhanger at the end of The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 2 was unresolved. It was, and then it left us with even more questions.
But we'll return to that in a little because the events on Coruscant were exciting as the series broke free from telling one long story per episode, making it one of the best episodes to date.
Coruscant is so profoundly rooted in Star Wars lore that any character could have gone there, and it would have still made for a worthwhile installment.
Focusing almost exclusively on Omid Abtahi's Dr. Pershing was an excellent way to showcase what became of him after the events of The Mandalorian Season 2.
It's hard to rule Pershing a villain because...
- 3/15/2023
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
This Star Wars article contains spoilers for The Mandalorian.
Grogu may not have had much screen time in this week’s episode of The Mandalorian, but “The Convert” still gave us one of Grogu’s most important milestones – his attempt to say his very first words. Before diving into Dr. Pershing’s (Omid Abtahi) redemption tour on Coruscant, the episode picks up where we left off with Bo-Katan Kryze, Din Djarin, and Grogu in the Mines of Mandalore.
Bo-Katan has just rescued Din from the depths of the Living Waters, and they’re catching their breath on the steps. As they head back to Bo-Katan’s home on Kalevala with Grogu on the Gauntlet, Din thanks Bo-Katan for saving him. She offers to celebrate with a feast, but rightfully assumes that he’ll decline so that he doesn’t have to remove his helmet. He responds with “This is the Way,...
Grogu may not have had much screen time in this week’s episode of The Mandalorian, but “The Convert” still gave us one of Grogu’s most important milestones – his attempt to say his very first words. Before diving into Dr. Pershing’s (Omid Abtahi) redemption tour on Coruscant, the episode picks up where we left off with Bo-Katan Kryze, Din Djarin, and Grogu in the Mines of Mandalore.
Bo-Katan has just rescued Din from the depths of the Living Waters, and they’re catching their breath on the steps. As they head back to Bo-Katan’s home on Kalevala with Grogu on the Gauntlet, Din thanks Bo-Katan for saving him. She offers to celebrate with a feast, but rightfully assumes that he’ll decline so that he doesn’t have to remove his helmet. He responds with “This is the Way,...
- 3/15/2023
- by Brynnaarens
- Den of Geek
This post contains spoilers for the latest episode of "The Mandalorian."
The planet-swallowing city of Coruscant was re-introduced in spectacular form in Chapter 19, "The Convert" of "The Mandalorian." On a star map, Coruscant is considered to be the center of the galaxy for trade and travel route purposes, although it is not technically the actual center of the "Star Wars" universe. In "The Convert," Dr. Pershing (Omid Abtahi) returns to the series after we last saw him pursuing Grogu for potential clone research at the behest of Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito). It's Pershing's first time on Coruscant, and during a debriefing about the planet, the word ecumenopolis is heard — the term for an all-encompassing city-planet. This is a clear reference and homage to Isaac Asimov's "Foundation" universe and further evidence that "The Mandalorian" isn't afraid to wear its sci-influences proudly on its sleeve.
Home to the wealthiest elites and the most powerful politicians,...
The planet-swallowing city of Coruscant was re-introduced in spectacular form in Chapter 19, "The Convert" of "The Mandalorian." On a star map, Coruscant is considered to be the center of the galaxy for trade and travel route purposes, although it is not technically the actual center of the "Star Wars" universe. In "The Convert," Dr. Pershing (Omid Abtahi) returns to the series after we last saw him pursuing Grogu for potential clone research at the behest of Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito). It's Pershing's first time on Coruscant, and during a debriefing about the planet, the word ecumenopolis is heard — the term for an all-encompassing city-planet. This is a clear reference and homage to Isaac Asimov's "Foundation" universe and further evidence that "The Mandalorian" isn't afraid to wear its sci-influences proudly on its sleeve.
Home to the wealthiest elites and the most powerful politicians,...
- 3/15/2023
- by Drew Tinnin
- Slash Film
This post contains spoilers for "The Mandalorian" season 3, episode 3, "The Convert."
In the first season of "The Mandalorian," Dr. Penn Pershing (Omid Abtahi) was still in the thrall of the Imperial Remnant and Moff Gideon as a science and cloning officer. He joined the Amnesty Program of the New Republic in a bid to be useful to the galaxy once more, as well as avoid a war tribunal. As his task in the Amnesty Program, he was given the job of inventorying items slated for destruction and decommission by the New Republic. Much of his work revolves around the cataloguing of equipment on Star Destroyers in the disposal yards, ready to be junked. Some of that equipment could still be of value to the New Republic, though, and he raises the issue with his supervisor. The supervisor is skeptical that anything can be done and he mentions how behind they are in their work.
In the first season of "The Mandalorian," Dr. Penn Pershing (Omid Abtahi) was still in the thrall of the Imperial Remnant and Moff Gideon as a science and cloning officer. He joined the Amnesty Program of the New Republic in a bid to be useful to the galaxy once more, as well as avoid a war tribunal. As his task in the Amnesty Program, he was given the job of inventorying items slated for destruction and decommission by the New Republic. Much of his work revolves around the cataloguing of equipment on Star Destroyers in the disposal yards, ready to be junked. Some of that equipment could still be of value to the New Republic, though, and he raises the issue with his supervisor. The supervisor is skeptical that anything can be done and he mentions how behind they are in their work.
- 3/15/2023
- by Bryan Young
- Slash Film
Warning: this post contains spoilers for "The Mandalorian" season 3, episode 3, "The Convert."
After more than two years away, "The Mandalorian" has returned and, even if it didn't get off to the greatest start, season 3 has certainly found its way. Case in point, the third episode, titled "The Convert," did a lot of work for longtime "Star Wars" fans, taking us back to Coruscant for the first time in a long time. Even though Mando and Grogu only bookend this latest installment, it was one heck of a ride, and one that brought some familiar faces. One of those faces was Elia Kane, played by Katy O'Brian, who was part of Moff Gideon's crew in the show's second season.
But a lot can happen in two years. For O'Brian, she became a much larger part of the Disney empire, as she also joined the company's other biggest franchise, the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
After more than two years away, "The Mandalorian" has returned and, even if it didn't get off to the greatest start, season 3 has certainly found its way. Case in point, the third episode, titled "The Convert," did a lot of work for longtime "Star Wars" fans, taking us back to Coruscant for the first time in a long time. Even though Mando and Grogu only bookend this latest installment, it was one heck of a ride, and one that brought some familiar faces. One of those faces was Elia Kane, played by Katy O'Brian, who was part of Moff Gideon's crew in the show's second season.
But a lot can happen in two years. For O'Brian, she became a much larger part of the Disney empire, as she also joined the company's other biggest franchise, the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
- 3/15/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
This post contains spoilers for "The Mandalorian" season 3, episode 3, "The Convert."
The "Star Wars" series "The Mandalorian" is usually a bit more concerned with how the people on the fringes of the galaxy survive, but the latest episode gave us a peek at how former Imperial officers are enduring in the era of the New Republic. Dr. Pershing (Omid Abtahi) and Elia Kane (Katy M. O'Brian) both formerly worked together under the terrifying Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito), but now they're a part of the New Republic Amnesty program. They've been through reconditioning and live in basic, brutalist Amnesty Housing, but as Pershing points out: the Empire would have handled its former enemies very differently. Their situation might seem kind of harsh, but when you realize that they were both working in major roles for the enemy and could have been imprisoned or executed instead, it's not so bad.
In fact,...
The "Star Wars" series "The Mandalorian" is usually a bit more concerned with how the people on the fringes of the galaxy survive, but the latest episode gave us a peek at how former Imperial officers are enduring in the era of the New Republic. Dr. Pershing (Omid Abtahi) and Elia Kane (Katy M. O'Brian) both formerly worked together under the terrifying Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito), but now they're a part of the New Republic Amnesty program. They've been through reconditioning and live in basic, brutalist Amnesty Housing, but as Pershing points out: the Empire would have handled its former enemies very differently. Their situation might seem kind of harsh, but when you realize that they were both working in major roles for the enemy and could have been imprisoned or executed instead, it's not so bad.
In fact,...
- 3/15/2023
- by Danielle Ryan
- Slash Film
This Star Wars article contains spoilers for The Mandalorian.
The latest episode of The Mandalorian, “The Convert,” features plenty of scene-setting and world-building, as fans get to go back to Coruscant to visit with former Imperial agents Dr. Pershing and Elia Kane, while Din and Grogu take a break at the Mandalorian covert. Their true allegiance may be in question, but the amount of easter eggs and references scattered throughout this episode certainly is not. There’s so much great lore in “The Convert,” while also managing to set the stage for much bigger things to come for season 3.
Here are all the Star Wars callbacks, easter eggs, and references we found in Chapter 19 of The Mandalorian:
Elia Kane (Katy O’Brian)
Katy O’Brian returns as former Imperial communications officer Elia Kane, although how “former” she actually is remains to be seen. While she totally plays Dr. Pershing in service to the New Republic,...
The latest episode of The Mandalorian, “The Convert,” features plenty of scene-setting and world-building, as fans get to go back to Coruscant to visit with former Imperial agents Dr. Pershing and Elia Kane, while Din and Grogu take a break at the Mandalorian covert. Their true allegiance may be in question, but the amount of easter eggs and references scattered throughout this episode certainly is not. There’s so much great lore in “The Convert,” while also managing to set the stage for much bigger things to come for season 3.
Here are all the Star Wars callbacks, easter eggs, and references we found in Chapter 19 of The Mandalorian:
Elia Kane (Katy O’Brian)
Katy O’Brian returns as former Imperial communications officer Elia Kane, although how “former” she actually is remains to be seen. While she totally plays Dr. Pershing in service to the New Republic,...
- 3/15/2023
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
This post contains spoilers for "The Mandalorian" season 3, episode 3, "The Convert."
Lady Bo-Katan Kryze has stood on many sides of Mandalore. She began her life in the royal family and watched her father die to protect Mandalore. Later, she joined up with Death Watch, opposing her sister, the Duchess Satine Kryze, and her pacifist ways. When she saw the corruption inside of Death Watch led by Maul, she left and sought to reunite Mandalore once again. She then rallied the Mandalorians, along with Ahsoka Tano and elements of the 501st clone legion, to take back the planet from the clutches of the former Sith warrior, only to watch the Empire take over and install their own puppet in her place.
For years, Bo-Katan continued to seek a way to reunite Mandalore. Finally, the answer was given to her by Sabine Wren in the form of the Darksaber. Bringing the Mandalorians together again,...
Lady Bo-Katan Kryze has stood on many sides of Mandalore. She began her life in the royal family and watched her father die to protect Mandalore. Later, she joined up with Death Watch, opposing her sister, the Duchess Satine Kryze, and her pacifist ways. When she saw the corruption inside of Death Watch led by Maul, she left and sought to reunite Mandalore once again. She then rallied the Mandalorians, along with Ahsoka Tano and elements of the 501st clone legion, to take back the planet from the clutches of the former Sith warrior, only to watch the Empire take over and install their own puppet in her place.
For years, Bo-Katan continued to seek a way to reunite Mandalore. Finally, the answer was given to her by Sabine Wren in the form of the Darksaber. Bringing the Mandalorians together again,...
- 3/15/2023
- by Bryan Young
- Slash Film
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